Developmental Patterns of Sexual Risk among Rural African-American Youth from Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood

Purpose: In recent years, the Unites States (US) has seen large reductions in rates of teen pregnancy, births and abortions, along with declines in the number of adolescents engaging in sexual activity. Although promising, considerable and persistent racial/ethnic and geographic disparities exist for unintended pregnancy, STIs and HIV within the US, particularly among African-American youth and those residing in the South and in rural communities. Yet little is known about the sexual behavior of African-American youth residing in rural communities in the Southern US across the important developmental periods of adolescence and emerging adulthood (EA) despite experiencing some of the poorest sexual health outcomes in the nation.
Source: Journal of Adolescent Health - Category: Child Development Authors: Source Type: research